Kindiki Defends Use of Plainclothes Officers in Anti-Finance Bill Protests

The Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has defended the police use of plain clothes during anti-Finance Bill protests.

As protests swept across the country, officers in civilian attire were observed actively participating in crowd control and making arrests. The use of plainclothes officers during protests has drawn scrutiny due to its departure from conventional policing methods. Critics argue that this practice blurs the distinction between law enforcement and civilians, potentially fostering confusion and eroding public trust. However, Kindiki contends that effective crowd control necessitates diverse approaches that may differ from traditional policing activities.

Kindiki emphasizes the contrast between crowd control techniques and crime prevention policing. While uniformed officers typically handle routine law enforcement tasks, managing large demonstrations requires a unique skill set. According to the CS, protests often present volatile situations where rapid decision-making and adaptability are paramount. He maintains that the anonymity afforded by plain clothes enables officers to integrate seamlessly with the crowd, gather critical intelligence, and respond swiftly to emerging threats.

Kindiki laments that opportunistic individuals seek to exploit the chaos for personal gain, potentially infiltrating protests to disrupt order and incite violence. The deployment of plainclothes officers aims to identify and apprehend these troublemakers without compromising overall public safety. Kindiki commends the police for their efforts and acknowledges the significant challenges they face. He regrets that some officers sustained injuries during the protests.

"Our officers did their best in the circumstances, some of them got hurt, 43 of them. We commended them, those officers who did what they did within the law," he said.

Also, Kindiki has rejected claims that the government abducted some Kenyans before, during, and after the protests against the Finance Bill. While certain social media activists allege they were abducted by security personnel and kept isolated, Kindiki insists these were lawful arrests, not abductions. The CS emphasizes that President William Ruto's administration does not condone abductions. Last week, Azimio and Law Society of Kenya (LSK) reported disappearance of at least 39 individuals during the course of the protests.

LSK President Faith Odhiambo formally called upon the Director of Criminal Investigation to launch a thorough inquiry into these reported abductions. Further compounding the situation are reports of additional protesters being subjected to detention. These individuals, known for their vocal support of the demonstrations both on social media platforms and in public spaces, were reportedly held for several days by law enforcement officers operating in plainclothes.